Crimson Garments from Bozrah (Isaiah 63:1-3, 5, 6)
Who is this that cometh from Edom [the land of Esau, who for one earthly morsel sacrificed his spiritual inheritance – Edom thus typifying the nominal Church and so-called Christendom], with dyed [crimson, RSV] garments from Bozrah [the capital of Edom signifying the Papacy]? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling [riding on horseback] in the greatness of his strength? I [the risen Lord] that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat [wine vat]? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me [in the sense of upholding his cause]: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled [splattered] upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered [was appalled, RSV] that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation [victory, RSV] unto me; and my fury [righteous indignation], it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury [similar to when Moses forced the Israelites to drink the golden calf, which he had powdered and mixed with water, Exodus 32:19, 20], and I will bring down their strength to the earth.
The Prophet Isaiah
In the hymn and elsewhere, these words are applied to Gethsemane and Calvary. The emphasis given is that Jesus went through this bitter experience alone, his soul being exceedingly sorrowful unto death. The apostles, not being able to fully enter into his experience, fell asleep.
The text does not refer to Gethsemane, however. Jesus is speaking about treading the vine of the earth, which takes place at this end of the age. The “people” not with him are those of Edom – Christendom, ecclesiastical and civil. They will not be with him in the sense that, in the final circumstance, no righteous ones will remain. Conditions in the earth will be so corrupt that no one will stand upright for truth and principle.
– Frank Shallieu, The Keys of Revelation, page 489